Cleaning element for brooms or brushes

ABSTRACT

A cleaning element ( 1 ) for brooms or brushes comprises a board ( 2 ) having a surface ( 3 ) for supporting a plurality of clusters or bundles ( 4 ) of fibres forming a cleaning body ( 5 ); each cluster ( 4 ) is provided with a related element ( 6 ) for fastening the clusters ( 4 ) to the surface ( 3 ) and it can be associated to the board ( 2 ); the latter has at least an internal cavity ( 7 ) for housing the fastening elements ( 6 ) in correspondence with their passage through related through holes ( 8 ) provided in the support surface ( 3.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning element for brooms orbrushes.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Currently, known brooms or brushes comprise a board forsupporting a cleaning body defined by a plurality of clusters or bundlesof fibres, usually bristles, engaged in related holes obtained in theboard on the side opposite the one in which a grip handle is associatedto the board.

[0003] The cleaning body has its clusters or bundles of fibres withtheir free ends aligned on a plane parallel to the side in which theengagement holes are obtained, and it laterally exhibits a perpendicularor angled profile relative to the board.

[0004] The support board, of various shapes, is usually obtained bymoulding synthetic material and then machining it, i.e. holing it on thesurface destined to define the area of association of the bristleclusters.

[0005] Each of said blind holes, obtained on the latter surface, definesa housing seat for an individual cluster of bristles mutually bent backand held by a fastening element, usually made of metal. This fasteningelement is thrust inside each hole, together with a part of the cluster,in order to determine a penetration of the element into the board andwith the consequent partial deformation inside the hole so as to obtaina locking of the cluster in correspondence with the surface of theboard.

[0006] This solution of the cleaning element, however, entails adrawback given, in particular, by the possible presence of air bubblesinside the board, generated during the moulding cycle, which bubbles, ifpresent in proximity to the blind holes, could cause a defectiveapplication of the fastening element during bristle insertion, or even apartial or total collapse of the element itself, thereby creating adiscontinuity of the cleaning surface. In addition, to overcome thisdrawback, board shape's have to be used that will allow for an easymoulding of the board or in any case for taking into account the effectsderiving from the moulding operation itself.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The aim of the present invention, therefore, is to eliminate theaforementioned drawback by providing a cleaning element for brooms orbrushes that is compact, practical and with a constructive architecturethat is more rational and secure in the mounting and holding of thebristle clusters.

[0008] The aforementioned aim is reached by means of a cleaning elementfor brooms or brushes comprising a board having a surface for supportinga plurality of clusters or bundles of fibres forming a cleaning body;each cluster is provided with a related element for fastening theclusters to the surface, which can be associated to the board; thelatter has an internal cavity for housing the fastening elements incorrespondence with their passage through related through holes,obtained in the support surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The technical characteristics of the invention, according to theaforesaid aims, can clearly be noted from the content of the claims setout below and its advantages shall become more readily apparent in thedetailed description that follows, made with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which represent an embodiment provided purely byway of non limiting example, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 shows prospective schematic view of a broom which can beobtained with a cleaning element in accordance with the presentinvention, with some parts removed the better to highlight others;

[0011]FIG. 2 shows a front view, with some parts sectioned, of a firstembodiment of the cleaning element of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the cleaningelement of the present invention, with some parts sectioned the betterto highlight other parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In accordance with the figures of the accompanying drawings, andwith particular reference to FIG. 1, the cleaning element of the presentinvention is used to obtain brooms or brushes for cleaning surfaces.

[0014]FIG. 1 shows, purely by way of example, a broom (indicated withthe reference number 100) comprising a grip handle 101 and the cleaningelement 1, which comprises a board 2 having a surface 3 for supporting aplurality of clusters or bundles 4 of fibres forming a cleaning body 5and provided, each, with a related element 6 for fastening the clusters4 to the surface 3, which element 6 can be associated to the board 2.

[0015] In practice, the fastening element 6, known in itself, isconstituted by an open ring, which can, purely by way of non limitingexample, be made of metal, whereon the bristles are fastened, bent backon themselves, to define a cluster 4.

[0016] The aforesaid board 2 (see in particular FIGS. 2 and 3) has atleast an internal cavity 7 for housing the aforementioned fasteningelements 6 in correspondence with their passage through related throughholes 8 obtained in the aforesaid support surface 3.

[0017] In particular, if the open ring 6 is used, the internal cavity 7of the board 2 is provided with an abutting surface 9 for the fasteningelements 6, housed in the same cavity 7, in such a way as to allow adeformation of the fastening elements 6 and cause the locking of theaforesaid clusters 4 on the board 2.

[0018] More specifically, the cavity 7 present inside the aforesaidboard 2 has, preferably but not exclusively, regular development andcross section in order to allow a constant and optimal insertion anddeformation for each aforementioned fastening element 6: this is aimedat ensuring that all the clusters 4 on the cleaning body 1 are securelyfastened.

[0019] At the constructive level, the aforementioned board 2 can beconstituted by a solid body 2 a, for instance made of plastic mouldingmaterial, whereon is obtained, according to known technologies, theaforementioned internal cavity 7 with regular and rectangular section(see FIG. 3) and defining at least two main surfaces 3 and 9, which areparallel and mutually opposite: the first such surface, indicated withthe reference number 3, constitutes the access area of the aforesaidfastening elements 6 and of the related clusters 4, and having theplurality of the aforementioned holes 8, whilst the other surface 9defines a regular abutment area for the deformation of the fasteningelements 6.

[0020] Purely by way of example, the board 2 shown herein has a singlecavity, but it could also be constructed with two or more distinctcavities 7 inside the body 2 a according to the constructionrequirements of the broom or brush, without thereby limiting the scopeof protection of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the aforesaid board 2 can be constituted bytwo bodies 10 and 11, which can also be obtained by moulding and made ofplastic material, able to be inserted within each other andconstituting, once the assembly operation is complete, the aforesaidcavity 7 defining the two main parallel and opposite surfaces 3 and 9.

[0022] In this solution as well, the first surface indicated with thereference number 3 constitutes the access surface or area of thefastening elements 6 and of the clusters 4, having a plurality of holes8, whilst the other surface 9 defines an abutment for the deformation ofthe fastening elements 6.

[0023] The aforesaid first body 10 has its cross section shaped as a “U”rotated on one side and defines, in practice, the external portion ofthe board 2 for three sides thereof.

[0024] The second body 11 has its cross section shaped as a “U” rotatedon one side and able to be stably inserted, for instance by forcing orby snapping, inside the first body 10 in such a way as to define theaforementioned internal cavity 7 with regular development.

[0025] In particular, the second body 11 can be provided with at least afin or, preferentially, two fins 12 and 13, projecting from its ownclosed side 11 a, and defining an abutment on the free ends of theaforesaid first body 10, once the assembly operation is completed, insuch a way as to define a uniform outer perimeter of the board 2.

[0026] In the case illustrated above, the two parallel and contiguoussides 10 b and 11 b of the two bodies 10 and 11 are provided, once theassembly operation is completed, with coaxial holes 8 for the passage ofthe fastening elements 6 inside the cavity 7.

[0027] In practice, the board 2 described above is obtained by defininga body 2 a or two bodies 10 and 11, as described previously, andconstituting the board 2, having said internal cavity 7. Subsequently,the through holes 8 are obtained in the support surface 3 in such a wayas to connect the aforementioned cavity 7 with the exterior.

[0028] At this point the aforementioned fastening elements 6, which jointhe clusters 4, are housed in the cavity 7 by forcing their passage inthe holes 8 (see arrow F1 in FIG. 2); the fastening elements 6 are thendeformed by abutting them against the aforementioned upper and regularsurface 9 of the cavity 7 in such a way as to lock the fastening element6 inside the cavity 7, since the size of the fastening element 6 is, atthis point, greater than the diameter of the hole 8.

[0029] A cleaning element thus obtained allows to construct extremelypractical brooms or brushes, with similar characteristics to traditionalelements, but with considerable advantages.

[0030] The first advantage is provided by the reduced weight of theelement, thanks to the presence of the central cavity, and by aconsequent faster moulding cycle.

[0031] The presence of the cavity determines a more secure and constantapplication of the bristle clusters with the fastening element thanks tothe definition of a regular abutting surface where the fasteningelements are deformed in constant fashion, thereby securing theplurality of clusters on the board in an excellent manner and henceobtaining a regular and precise cleaning surface of the broom or brush.

[0032] The invention thus conceived can be subject to numerousmodifications and variations, without thereby departing from the scopeof the inventive concept. Moreover, all components can be replaced withtechnically equivalent elements.

1. Cleaning element for brooms or brushes, element (1) comprising aboard (2) having a surface (3) for supporting a plurality of clusters orbundles (4) of fibres forming a cleaning body (5) and provided, each,with a related element (6) for fastening the clusters (4) to saidsurface (3) and able to be associated to said board (2), characterisedin that said board (2) has at least an internal cavity (7) for housingsaid fastening elements (6) in correspondence with their passage throughrelated through holes (8), obtained in said support surface (3). 2.Element as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said board (2) hasat least said internal cavity (7) provided with an abutment surface (9)for said fastening elements (6), housed in said cavity (7), in such away as to allow a deformation of said fastening elements (6) and therebyobtain a fastening of said clusters (4) on said board (2).
 3. Element asclaimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that said board (2) has atleast an internal cavity (7) with regular development and cross section.4. Element as claimed in claims 1 and 2, characterised in that saidboard (2) has at least an internal cavity (7) with regular developmentand cross section able to allow a constant insertion and deformation ofeach said fastening element (6).
 5. Element as claimed in claims from 1to 4, characterised in that said board (2) is constituted by a solidbody (2 a) whereon is obtained at least one internal cavity (7) definingat least two main and opposite surfaces (3, 9), whereof one (3)constitutes the access area of said fastening elements (6) and of saidclusters (4), having a plurality of said holes (8), and the othersurface (9) defining an abutment area for deforming said fasteningelements (6).
 6. Element as claimed in claims from 1 to 4, characterisedin that said board (2) is constituted by at least two bodies (10, 11)able to be inserted in each other and realising, once the assemblyoperation is completed, at least one said cavity (7) defining at leasttwo main surfaces (3, 9), parallel and opposite, whereof one (3)constitutes the access area of said fastening elements (6) and of saidclusters (4), having a plurality of said holes (8), and the othersurface (9) defining an abutment area for deforming said fasteningelements (6).
 7. Element as claimed in claim 6, characterised in thatsaid first body (10) has a cross section shaped as a “U” rotated on oneside and defines the outer portion of said board (2) for three sidesthereof.
 8. Element as claimed in claims 6 and 7, characterised in thatsaid second body (11) has a cross section shaped as “U” rotated on oneside and able to be stably inserted inside said first body (10) in sucha way as to define said internal cavity (7) with regular development. 9.Element as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that said second body(11) is provided with at least a fin (12) projecting from its own closedside (11 a) and defining an abutment on the free ends of said first body(10), once the assembly operation is completed, in such a way as todefine a uniform external perimeter of said board (2).
 10. Element asclaimed in claim 8, characterised in that said second body (11) isprovided with at least a pair of fins (12, 13) projecting from its ownclosed side (11 a) and defining an abutment on the free ends of saidfirst body (10), once the assembly operation is completed, in such a wayas to define a uniform external perimeter of said board (2).
 11. Elementas claimed in claims 7 and 8, characterised in that two parallel andcontiguous sides (10 b, 11 b) of said two bodies (10, 11) are provided,once the assembly operation is completed, with coaxial holes (8) for thepassage of said fastening elements (6) inside said cavity (7). 12.Method for constructing a cleaning element for brooms or brushes,element (1) comprising a board (2) having a surface (3) for supporting aplurality of clusters or bundles (4) of fibres forming a cleaning body(5) and provided, each, with a related element (6) for fastening theclusters (4) to said surface (3), characterised in that it comprises thefollowing stages: defining at least a body (2 a, 10, 11), constitutingsaid board (2), having an internal cavity (7); obtaining a plurality ofthrough holes (8) in said support surface (3) in order to connect saidcavity (7) with the exterior; housing said fastening elements (6) withrelated clusters (4) in said cavity (7) by passing them through saidholes (8), and deforming said fastening elements (6) by abutting themagainst a regular surface (9) of said cavity (7) in such a way as tolock the fastening element (6) inside the cavity (7).